How Letting Go of Material Possessions Made a Difference at 23

“I earned money, bought things with it. I owned a certain amount, it seemed to me. And still I only needed one suitcase — and of rather modest dimensions at that.”

— Sergei Dovlatov, “The Suitcase”

The steady beat of a heart metronome in my head broke the ringing silence of the rented apartment. In an hour, I would probably be leaving Russia for a long time, possibly forever, abandoning everything that was once dear to me here, waving from the porthole to the prowling military and police officers — a norm in Russia that emerged almost immediately after my country began its armed invasion of Ukraine.

I stood in the middle of the room, staring at my few belongings, tightly packed in vacuum bags in my suitcase: a coat torn in at least two places, a pair of jeans, a checkered suit that I had only worn a couple of times, wool socks, a hoodie, running sneakers, and all kinds of other little things.

With a goofy, crooked smile, I jokingly reasoned to myself: I could throw out a couple more things and thus save extra grams at the plane check-in. There was no need for this: the unsteady digits next to the face of a sleepy airport employee hesitated and gave even less than the maximum “economy” of 14 kg.

I have no doubt that it was much easier for me than for thousands of my “unfortunate friends.”

Since the beginning of 2022, more than 500,000 Russians have left Russia and never returned

— The Bell

According to various estimates, between 300,000 and 800,000 citizens have irrevocably left Russia after the war erupted: some burdened by real estate, some by assets and businesses, elderly relatives, and so forth.

I’m 23; I’m still young, fresh, stupid, ridiculous, and relatively poor. (Of course, many opposition-minded people in Russia cannot afford to emigrate and have to resist the system from within.)

And yet, I believe that the lack of material possessions at this age has played a significant role in making the decision to leave easier. I did not own anything of significant worth, no property to sell or worry about, and no extensive personal belongings to pack up and carry with me.

The Lessons in Letting Go

Not having a mountain of material things to concern myself with has taught me important lessons about the value and weight of our possessions in life. In the grand scheme of things, the items we accumulate over time can both enrich and hinder our growth as individuals. Letting go of these material objects reminds us of what truly matters: our experiences, relationships, and personal development.

1. The importance of experiences over possessions: Embracing new experiences and opportunities, rather than accumulating possessions, can lead to a more enriching and fulfilling life.
2. The ability to adapt and grow: Letting go of physical items allows us to become comfortable with change and makes us more adaptable, which is essential in today’s fast-paced world.
3. Redefining success: Many people equate success with the number or value of possessions they own. Learning to let go of these markers of wealth can help shift our perspective and redefine success in terms of happiness, personal growth, and our positive impact on others.
4. Improved focus and mental clarity: Having fewer possessions can remove distractions, leaving more room for clear thinking and allowing us to concentrate on the aspects of our lives that truly matter.

Having everything you need fit into a suitcase is not a necessity. All I’m asking is that you give some serious consideration to the things that are most important to you in life. Perhaps we would all be better served by focusing more on the quality of the relationships we have with one another, giving them the value they deserve, and doing what it takes to earn and maintain them.